Folks without cars, how do you do it?

Manatee

Manatee

Well-known Member
Location
Florida
I read a number of postings saying people do not have a car. How do you get home with bags of groceries? We go to different stores that are not close to each other for different things, such as food, hardware, medications, etc. We go to several different supermarkets at different times because not one of them has everything that we want. In addition there are the medical providers that we visit. Plus there are activities at the rec centers, neither of which is within walking distance for us.
 
I had to stop driving several years ago due to medical issues, but ...see my posts in this thread especially #26.

(I'm on my phone right now, link copy can get tricky. Maybe you or someone can paste it.

The thread is How often do you grocery shop, started 1/11/2020).

Transportation-wise I have it pretty darned good.:)
 
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It's hard, it's very hard. My son buys the heavy, bulky stuff about twice a month. I can do about nine full bags of stuff, which in reality isn't everything I need. Can't buy all the variety of foods I would like, it would take too many days to do that, so I stick with the must-haves and boring staples.
 
People with cars don't often stop to consider how difficult life can be for those who don't have cars. It's easy to get a taxi home with groceries, even easier to have them delivered, as I do.
It's other things which are difficult. It's so easy to get into the car and go wherever you wish. Using public transport makes every trip like a major expedition.
I got divorced several years ago. I don't miss my husband one bit, but I do miss having the convenience of a car.
 
I plan on giving up driving in 3 years when I will be 80 and am already getting anxious about my future loss of independence. But, I'm already getting stressed about driving, I think about all kinds of bad scenarios, like killing a human or animal or having a breakdown or flat tire. I think old age erodes your self confidence and makes you morbidly cautious.
 
I live in the downtown area of a small city so there is a bus system and two different cab companies. My bf has a car and if I need or want to go anywhere, he will come pick up and take me. I usually shop at Walmart or Aldi's and they are not close enough to walk to (If I could walk that far to begin with). I have a mobility chair and in the nicer weather I can go shopping in the downtown stores or post office or Tops and the drugstores. I am more independent then, but I do not like to take it out in rain or snow or freezing temps.

It was the expense of the car that made me choose not to have one. Plus the worry about if it snows the residents in my building have to move their cars to the city parking lot so our lot can be plowed. It has made my life easier not having one.
 
I’ve never driven or wanted to learn, luckily everything I require is within walking distance, if I need heavy shopping I use a small trolly otherwise pick up a few things when I’m out and about each day, apart from that the local bus service is excellent and we get bus passes at 60

Due to my temperament, I knew I would make a terrible driver, so I’ve done the world a favour 😄
 
I'm fortunate that I drive, my husband drives... and we have several taxi companies in town if for any reason we can't drive but they're expensive for those who are on a budget . There's a bus service every hour or so, but it stops around 5pm . My elderly neighbours (and most of my neighbours are active elderly , they were all in their 40's when I moved here as a youngster..) and are now in their 80's and although active, aside from certain elderly ailments etc, have given up driving for various reasons, eyesight problems, hip problems, the cost etc... . My closet neighbour is very feisty always been very independent and very active, gets a lift twice a week from friends to go shopping, and on another day to their clubs...

a neighbour along the road get the bus to town once a week to get a little shopping, and meet up with folks after recently being bereaved and very difficult for her because she and her husband were joined at the proverbial hip, .. and one of her AC who live about 40 miles away orders her groceries to be delivered and takes her out occasionally...

..and yet another..who has never driven but her husband drives and they do still have a car... they only use their car now for trips where they can't expect a friend to take them...so they probably only take the car out once a month or so...

I'll often drop a neighbour into town or to the doctors surgery for example.....

I'm actually dreading the day I would feel I couldn't drive any more, being the highly independent person I am, and being used to driving long distances whenever I want..I'd hate to feel that my limit would be a bus that's total distance from terminus to terminus is about 3 miles...
 
I never felt comfortable behind the wheel,though I took the drivers test 3 times
There are 2 small stores located 3 blocks from my apt building,7/11{their prices are ridiculous},other is local co-op where I'm a member.There is a grocery store 6 blocks away'Price Rite',I usually walk there,then take the bus home, Once in awhile I'll ask one of my neighbors to take me to another grocery store Tops,if they aren't busy.They always tell me to call them
The organization where I'm a member&volunteer,Canopy of Neighbors,has a volunteer pool of drivers.They take members grocery shopping,dr's appts etc,but you have to let the office know a week ahead of time.I've used it 3 times
I've survived without having a car all my life Yes,sometimes I wish I had a car, but then again with all the distracted drivers on the road,why bother
 
I have never driven a car, I’ve always lived where I could walk, and up until my husband died he was my chauffeur. I use Lyft or Uber n any family member that’s available. I used Instacart for food till I found out what a rip off it was, now that Walmart does my shopping for me ( free ) someone in my family picks it up for me. I’m pretty sure I mentioned more than once how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family! 😊
 
This is a great thread!

I wonder about how I will manage when it's time to hang up my keys and am no longer able to drive or walk to the shops.

I will miss being able to go to a variety of stores and most likely settle for home delivery from one of the major chain stores in town using Instacart.

The local RiteAid pharmacy will deliver a prescription and any other items included with that prescription for free or nonprescription items only for a small fee.

I live in an area where it is fairly easy to get a cab or car service and even though that is expensive it is still much much cheaper than owning and operating a vehicle.

The biggest adjustment for me will be to deal with what seems like a loss of freedom and independence.

I keep telling myself that it's just a change in how I live that will take some getting used to .

I need to start experimenting with some of these options now while I'm still able to drive so it will be a smoother transition when that day finally arrives.
 
Have any of you ever considered renting a vehicle for the day you need to go shopping or running around doing stuff you have to do?

I'm lucky. Transportation is right outside the door via bus and shopping is withing walking distance. It's tough in winter.

I do have a car but it's in need of repairs so I only use it occasionally.
 
Aunt Bea said:
This is a great thread!

I wonder about how I will manage when it's time to hang up my keys and am no longer able to drive or walk to the shops.

I will miss being able to go to a variety of stores and most likely settle for home delivery from one of the major chain stores in town using Instacart.

The local RiteAid pharmacy will deliver a prescription and any other items included with that prescription for free or nonprescription items only for a small fee.

I live in an area where it is fairly easy to get a cab or car service and even though that is expensive it is still much much cheaper than owning and operating a vehicle.

The biggest adjustment for me will be to deal with what seems like a loss of freedom and independence.

I keep telling myself that it's just a change in how I live that will take some getting used to .

I need to start experimenting with some of these options now while I'm still able to drive so it will be a smoother transition when that day finally arrives.
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Start with public transport. See how that works out for you first. I'ts actually kind of fun just sitting there and doing crossword puzzles till I get to the destination.
 
I remember taking my adopted father's car keys from him when he was 85. He understood completely. He had plenty of people around him who drove him anyplace he needed to go.

Now I realize that I will face the same situation myself with my declining eyesight and slower reflexes. We are planning to move to a Senior Living complex that has plenty of transportation options. I plan on giving up my car by the time I am 85. My wife is a few years younger than I am and she may keep her car a bit longer.

I look at this as just being part of the next phase of life and the need to "get real."
 
I encourage folks to check with their state/county Dept of Aging. Find out if transportation services are available. Here it's called Senior Options. Prepare a list of questions. You might get referred to a website for information and registration.

Even if you have family to help, it's best to have a backup.

Inpendence is better than depending on people.
 
Camper6 said:
Start with public transport. See how that works out for you first. I'ts actually kind of fun just sitting there and doing crossword puzzles till I get to the destination.
Click to expand...
The problem with public transport when you get too old to drive is that you have to walk to the bus stop (how far?), wait on the bench till it comes (bad weather/cold?), get up on the bus (knee problems?), then walk wherever you need to go (how far?). If you're too old to drive, you're too old to do all that. My father when he got old used to lament, "La vecchiaia e una carogna'' (old age is a carrion/stinker). I agree!
 
Camper6 said:
Have any of you ever considered renting a vehicle for the day you need to go shopping or running around doing stuff you have to do?

I'm lucky. Transportation is right outside the door via bus and shopping is withing walking distance. It's tough in winter.

I do have a car but it's in need of repairs so I only use it occasionally.
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I don't know about over there, but to hire a car for the day here isn't just the price of the rental, you have to be able to provide a Credit card with a minimum of £500 deposit available on it...then pay for the rental which is about 1/5 th of that price again... so that would be difficult for many people ..
 
Catlady said:
The problem with public transport when you get too old to drive is that you have to walk to the bus stop (how far?), wait on the bench till it comes (bad weather/cold?), get up on the bus (knee problems?), then walk wherever you need to go (how far?). If you're too old to drive, you're too old to do all that. My father when he got old used to lament, "La vecchiaia e una carogna'' (old age is a carrion/stinker). I agree!
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The main problem I have is carrying things. I'm so limited in the amount of stuff I can carry that it's almost a waste of time- my frugal nature gets miffed spending $4 to go to/from the grocery store for so few items. And when I need anything that's larger/heavier, the only option is to order online, which means shipping fees and pesky delivery services.
 
Aunt Bea said:
I live in an area where it is fairly easy to get a cab or car service and even though that is expensive it is still much much cheaper than owning and operating a vehicle.
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Bea, my car is fairly new (2014). When I give up driving I will sell it and put the proceeds in a special savings account. With that money and the money I save by not having to pay insurance, registration, tires/battery etc, and maintenance, I should have enough for transport. I will even look at the Dept of Aging for free or low cost transport, like @applecruncher advised. It also helps that I am already a semi-recluse and don't go out much. I need to remember that when I give up driving.
 
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